Authorities start destroying illegal buildings

Bhubaneshwar, January 28, Abhijit Saha: Bhubaneswar Development Authority started destroying the buildings that are unlawfully used by building owners. Around 140 such buildings have been identified by the state government. Yesterday the authority started destroying the top two floors of a four-storied building at Madhusudhan Nagar in Bhubaneswar city. Sources say that the owner of the building is Ranjit Kumar Sahu.

Earlier Mr. Sahu applied for the land for an area of 1,960 sqft but was allotted only 856 sqft of land for residential purpose. But later on Mr. Sahu used that residential plot for commercial purpose by intruding with neighbouring property and giving on rent to a Spa and a multi-cuisine Restaurant.

The BDA lodged a case against the owner earlier in 2011 after knowing the unlawfully usage of allotted land and unauthorised intrusion into adjoining property. In reply Mr. Sahu also appealed to the High Court against the case a few months later. To hears Sahu’s case the High Court ordered Urban Development Authority where his appeal got rejected and directed the authority to destroy the unauthorized part of the building. Officer of BDA Deba Prasad Das said that they started destroying the building only after getting orders from the sources. ACP of police Bishnu Mishra along with a platoon of police was present on the spot to avoid any unfavourable incident.

Around 32 buildings have been identified in the city itself without any permission from Bhubaneswar Development Authority.